Backwoods Blog

LEADVILLE STORY (PART TWO)

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The Story of Leadville, Colorado (part two)

The family stories we share and re-tell through the years are valued heirlooms passed from one generation to the next (even if they are partially remembered or the details sometimes less than accurate). The Leadville, Colorado stories of my grandparents out west are one such example of the stories my family are still re-telling today. I remember my father telling me about one of the times when my grandfather came home for a visit. He took the train from Leadville, Colorado to Houlton and as he was getting off the train the conductor said, “Did you know you can take the train all the way to Mars Hill now?” This was surprising news to my grandfather, but he gladly purchased the extra ticket to ride on the train all the way home! I believe the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad (BAR) arrived in Houlton in 1893 and the north bound extension made it to Mars Hill in 1894. I know the date on the iron-bridge railroad trestle in Monticello is also 1894 so the work crews must have laid track fast that year. Based on these dates I would say my grandfather made this particular trip home in late 1894 (perhaps for the holidays) or early 1895. 

My cousin Larry Hutchinson is assisting me with “part two” of the Leadville, Colorado stories. He is the oldest son of John and Dorothy Hutchinson and you will see Larry and his wife Anne’s wedding picture included in today’s post. Thanks Larry!

This is an attempt to jot down a few thoughts and remembrances of our grandparents and the Leadville, Colorado part of their lives.

The Wotton Family History account is accurate to my knowledge (see last week’s part one). I do believe that grandfather Hutchinson went to Colorado around the age of 19 and there were two cousins that went with him. Of that fact I’m not quite sure but was told that. There was a big mining operation there and people were making lots of money and I’m sure that they left with the hope of making a fortune.  During the time they were there, there was big downturn in the economy and Horace Tabor who owned the mines and most of Leadville went bankrupt and things not only there but all over went “south”.  There is a great story of Horace Tabor who divorced his wife and married a beautiful young woman who became known as Baby Doe. There was an opera written about Baby Doe which we did several selections from one year in Community Chorus.  

Grandfather Hutchinson came home I was told to visit the family during the Christmas season. There was a party during that time and Grammy H. was there.  It was apparently love at first sight and they agreed to correspond when he went back.  Their correspondence led to a romance and then a marriage proposal which was accepted.  Grammy made her wedding dress and took some belongings in a trunk to Leadville which was must have been a long and at times scary trip for a young woman who had never been outside Blaine, Maine.  By the way, I do have Grammys trunk. I’m not sure it was the one that she took her belonging in to Leadville but I’d like to think that it is.

 Grandfather H. said that once the men who he worked with knew a new bride was coming, they all turned out and helped build a cabin and there were the essentials to start housekeeping with a stove, etc.  Grammy arrived in Leadville on the same day that they were married.  She went to the minister’s home, bathed and put on her wedding dress. I would assume that they were probably married at the parsonage. And they did things up right with with a photographer. And what a treasure that wedding picture is! Grandfather purchased a piece of gold and had Grammy’s ring made from the gold.Grandfather was in Leadville many years before Grammy arrived.  When we were in Leadville we went in a saloon that was built before Grandfather arrived. I’m sure that he and the men he knew made visits there, but I’m sure not after Grammy arrived!!  Anne and I sat in the saloon and had a drink and it was just like you see in the movies.  There was a large bar with a big mirror behind it with the bottles arranged on shelves.  There was a big empty space and a piano sitting on one side with a small stage.  I think we might have a picture of the saloon. Grandfather loved to go to the movies on Saturday afternoon to see the old westerns. I’m sure they were like memories. He especially got animated when there was a fight in the saloon. He would make a fist and say things like “give it to ’em.”  I loved sitting with grandfather but dad was sometimes embarrassed and would set some seats apart!! Grandfather had a mind that I think was unusual.  He could repeat long pieces of poetry.  He could repeat word for word long passages from the bible. For such a rugged man whose life was spent doing hard labor he had a caring and soft heart. He sometimes would repeat a long poem and there would be tears in his eyes. He was determined that the children had some opportunities growing up and would hire travelling music teachers to give lessons to them. Alta had piano lessons, Charley had violin lessons and the other children had the opportunities if they wanted.  I’m not too sure about the younger ones, but all had some music abilities. Not sure about Malcolm. Grammy never talked a lot about Leadville, but she certainly was a strong and brave young woman.  Grammy started working at a hotel in Mars Hill when she was 12 years old making bread.  I’m not sure about her education but she certainly was able to read and write. Grammy would mention once in a while about going down in the busy part of Leadville to shop and seeing those “painted women” sitting in front of the saloon. When mom would bake something Grammy would always say, now if you were in Leadville you’d have to have a certain temperature in the oven and would have to cook it so long. She certainly had a story to tell but for some reason or other it was like a story that she just wanted to keep in her heart. It certainly was a long lasting love affair that they had. Grammy would mention “George” and the tears would fall.  

David, I hope this helps you in your endeavor to “tell the story”.  It seems we often become interested in certain things about the past and wished we had asked more questions before those who knew have departed.  

Cousin Larry

The stories we remember and share shape our lives. Live the memories everyone. 

In the woods,

Dave

September 7, 2022